Find out who we are

Program Staff

Find out who we are and what we do.

Greg Hallman

Greg Hallman is the Program Director for the MSF Program. Using his years of experience as a financial analyst, consultant, researcher, and senior lecturer, Dr. Hallman works to see that the MSF curriculum encompasses the breadth and depth of knowledge that students need to be successful. As the instructor for the first class that MSF students take, Dr. Hallman lays the foundation for the financial knowledge MSF students acquire over the following semesters. In addition, he works extensively with potential employers to increase awareness of the value that MSF graduates add to their firms and to ensure that the skill set our students acquire meets the most up-to-date needs of the industry.

Scott Lauger

Scott Lauger is the Graduate Program Administrator for the MSF program, charged with keeping the program running smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Scott is the first point of contact for all admission inquiries and application questions from prospective students. He also oversees student services for current students, including orientation, registration, graduation, and any issues related to campus life.

Renée de Lota

Renée de Lota is the Career Services Advisor for the MSF program, and her involvement with students begins as soon as they are admitted to the program, as she begins preparing them for their eventual career search. Renée works throughout the year to assist students with their job search, incorporating a wide variety of training activities including workshops, career panels, and networking opportunities. Simultaneously, Renee works steadfastly to establish and maintain valuable relationships with the employers that recruit and hire MSF students.

Lainey Hoffman

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Lainey Hoffman holds a Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University. Initially a recruiter for the hospitality industry, Lainey has over eight years of experience in collegiate career services, including a director position with Vatterott College, and as a graduate level career course instructor for Colorado Technical University. As a senior advisor with Le Cordon Bleu Colleges, Lainey’s clients included Hilton, Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Disney, and Food Network. She is also heavily involved with community organizations, and has served as Chair of the Tourism Advisory Board and as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for the City of Cedar Park.

Class of 2015

Meet some members of our 2015 class.

Find out what the Class of 2015 has to say about the Texas MSF.

Andy Chuang

Undergraduate Institution: University of California, Los Angeles

Undergraduate Major: Business Economics

After gaining a little over a year's experience in the audit function of public accounting, I decided to add a different twist to my background by choosing the MSF program at McCombs. By having access to a top-tier university, I am challenged by top notch faculty members through provocative discussions to think critically at a much more precise level regarding finance. Not only do I have the opportunity to fine-tune my analytical, modeling, and valuation skills, I am also able to utilize the McCombs brand as my entrance ticket to the realm of finance.

Baron Davis

Undergraduate University: Harvard University

Undergraduate Major: Economics & Sociology

Thoughts on the MSF: Aspiring to expand upon my knowledge of the financial universe, I saw the McCombs MSF program as the perfect opportunity. Coming from a liberal arts background with an economics degree, I knew that in order to pursue my dream of working in finance, it would be necessary to develop the fundamental basics and skills necessary to build upon in the industry. While the program may seem challenging at times, it is also quite rewarding and I have never experienced such a supporting academic and career services staff. With McCombs, the sky is the limit.

Colin Scarola

Undergraduate University: University of Notre Dame

Undergraduate Major: Mechanical Engineering

Thoughts on the MSF: The McCombs MSF stands out to me because the faculty is comprised of highly accomplished, yet down-to-earth financial professionals who truly understand the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in finance. There is no such thing as a dry lecture in the program because the relevance of the course material is always illustrated by professors recounting unique (and often hilarious) anecdotes from their business careers. The focus of the MSF is not just on learning the skills needed in the financial industry but also gaining the invaluable experience of applying them just as you would on the job. It often feels like professional training as much as education. This commitment to combining theory with application is what allows MSF graduates to outperform in their financial careers. The energetic and outgoing social atmosphere within the program is just an added bonus to a first-rate academic experience.

Kenna Garinger

Undergraduate Institution: The University of Texas at Austin

Undergraduate Major: Public Relations

Thoughts on the MSF: Coming from a Public Relations background, I was nervous that the program would be extremely overwhelming and I would fall behind my other classmates. However, right from the start, the faculty teaches financial basics in order to ensure students' successes in the future classes. So far this program has far exceeded my expectations and I'm confident that it will aid me in my career in the finance industry.

Kevin Kershisnik

Undergraduate University: University of Notre Dame

Undergraduate Major: Environmental Sciences

Thoughts on the MSF: The MSF at the University of Texas at Austin is a rigorous graduate finance program that is housed in one of the most well respected business schools in the country. When you combine the esteem that the McCombs name carries nationwide with the dedicated faculty and staff that manage the day-to-day of the program, there was no better alternative in my book. Our class is small, diverse and motivated, which creates a unique learning environment where individualized attention is easy to come by. Ultimately, choosing to join the MSF Class of 2015 has allowed me to hone in on my interest in the energy sector and build the foundational knowledge in finance necessary to achieve my career goals

Swetha Ramakrishnan

Undergraduate University: University of Virginia

Undergraduate Major: Math & Economics

Thoughts on the MSF: After a year spent working in the asset management industry, I decided that I wanted to go back to school to focus on developing my valuation skills and upgrading my financial knowledge base. The MSF program at UT Austin offered me just that with a curriculum centered around financial statement analysis, valuation and portfolio theory. Additionally, the small class size helps foster stronger relations with your classmates and allows for more face time with your professors. I am confident that access to the amazing resources at UT Austin combined with the McCombs brand name will help me position myself to excel at and add value to any company I join in the future.

Taylor McClendon

Undergraduate University: The University of Texas at Austin

Undergraduate Major: Economics

Thoughts on the MSF: I enrolled in the MSF program in order to build on what I learned in the workforce and as an undergraduate economics major. The accelerated nature of the program has exposed me to a breadth of new material that will prepare me for a career in finance. McCombs School of Business is home to world class professors who have relatable industry experience to complement their expertise in their fields of study. With the help of a professional and attentive career services department, I am confident that the MSF program will enable me to succeed in the financial services industry.

Violetta Krol

Undergraduate University: Rice University

Undergraduate Major: English

I chose the Texas MSF because I wanted to complement my liberal arts background with a strong set of quantitative finance skills thereby making myself a well-rounded and unique candidate going into energy finance. The courses are organized to give students practical tools and knowledge tailored to the finance industry. Furthermore, the professors and professionals I meet through the rich McCombs network are positive mentors who are proactively involved in my professional development.